STARSOF THE WEEKLZ1Skye Down for completion of your inquiry presentation.Charlie Rutherfurd for completion of your inquiry presentation.Elye May for cooperative group work in Inquiry.Kyaan Stanaway for team work in inquiry learning.

LZ4Nicole Douglas for helping around the classroom.Robert Mackie for always using his manners and being kind.Arabella Wijlens for perseverance in physical activities.Mason West for great building skills. Bella Richardson for all round effort.

From the Principal's PenWe have had an amazing 2017 but it is coming to an end. This term the students have had a learning focus on protecting our environment through Reducing, Reusing and Recycling our waste. The students have been energised and excited about their projects and are looking forward to sharing their work with their parents today.

We are saying a sad goodbye to three of our staff members at the end of the year. Kyle Port has been a great asset to the school. He has lead the LZ2 team, supported our peer mediators and helped with sports in the school. Kyle will be sadly missed. He is moving to be closer to his home up north. Thank you for all your hard work. All the best for your future.Rosie Forbes is also leaving us. Rosie has bought enthusiasm and energy to our year 1 team and has contributed her ideas to our 'learning through play' focus this year. She is moving to a new school which includes a promotion for her. Congratulations and best of luck from all of us Rosie.Anna Hildesley stepped up to run a year three/four class for us for the second half of this year, after the previous teacher left to go to Wellington. Thank you for all your hard work and support.

We look forward to seeing all our Dairy Flat parents at the Final Assembly on Wednesday afternoon and our Prizegiving on Thursday evening. Students will be performing at both events and we will be celebrating the learning they have done throughout the year.

Debbie MarshallPrincipal

School NoticesSchool Office CommunicationPlease use office@dairyflat.school.nz for ALL communication, including absences, notifications, or information regarding students and staff. This will ensure that both of our office staff are able to access this information.

Dairy Flat School Christmas present donationDid you know there are 17,000 families in New Zealand that can’t afford to celebrate Christmas this year?We would like to organise a present collection to help families in need this Christmas. We were hoping each family could bring a new gift to donate. Ideas could include art stuff, stuffed toys, puzzles, books, blind bags, dolls or cars.We want Dairy Flat kids to not only think of themselves but to think of others.A collection box will be set up in the office and will be there until school finishes when it will be donated to the Salvation Army.Thank you for thinking of others this Christmas.

Emergency Mobile Alert coming soonIf your life, health or property is in serious danger, an Emergency Mobile Alert could be sent to your mobile phone.The alerts are sent using cell broadcast technology, so there is no need to sign up or download an app. They can also be targeted to affected areas, so you will only get them if the emergency is in your area.Emergency Mobile Alert messages can only be sent by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management, Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups, NZ Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Primary Industries.If your phone is on, capable of receiving them and inside the targeted area, you should get the alerts. You can find out whether your phone can receive the alerts at http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/emergency-mobile-alert.Emergency Mobile Alert messages do not replace other emergency alerts. They are an additional way of warning you, along with other channels. Not all phones are capable of receiving the alerts, so if you receive an alert, let others know. If you feel your life is in danger, don’t wait for an official warning.

Ukelele FestivalWe had brilliant weather and this year the festival went home which is were it all started 11 years ago at Mt Roskill School.Thanks to Dairy Flat kids who played their hearts out and to the wonderful parents who have supported them this year. See photos below.

​Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon – Hibiscus Coast:Sunday 25th March 2018 at Manly Park, Whangaparoa. For children aged 7 – 15 years. Registrations now open: Early Bird Entry $38.00 per childPlease see attached flyer for more entry details. Entry is open on-line for all events, Dairy Flat School is linked to the Hibiscus Coast event only. You must enter your child(ren) online, NO registrations or payments will be taken through the school. Please ‘link’ your child(ren) to the Dairy Flat School group. If we have 15 or more childrens entries linked, the school will be eligible for entry into a number of great prize draws for sports and kitchen equipment for the school.Click on the following link to be connected to the Dairy Flat School group: https://registration.tryathlon.co.nz/Home/Event/31/Package/0/Wave/0/Sequence/0/School/17309d28-2612-4979-a272-2d8720972a57· Follow the prompts to register and pay for your child(ren). For all information, training tips and answers to all FAQs – check out: https://tryathlon.co.nz/​Dairy Flat School HostsDairy Flat School are hosting some international students at the start of Term 1 next year. Remuneration is $300 per person, per week. In return you should provide three meals a day plus snacks and travel to/from school, unless within walking distance. Some students will be accompanied by a parent. For further info please email: international@dairyflat.school.nz

Thinking CapsHelp your child's maths confidence grow with Thinking Caps! This term we will be covering fractions, decimals and percentages. Small group sizes, tailored to your child's needs. Book online at www.thinkingcaps.co.nz or call 09 424 3536 for more information.

Coast Kids is a fun, lighted after school club where we play games, tell stories, create art and crafts all with bible based values. We are on every Friday during the term, $5 per session, $40 for the term or $80 for a family for a term.

School Holiday ProgrammesGrasshopper Soccer Summer Holiday Programme 2018Please see attachment below for details.​The Auckland Performing Arts CentreTAPAC (The Auckland Performing Arts Centre) has a range of performing arts holiday programmes run by industry professionals, for 5-16 year olds coming up for the January School Holidays. There are 19 programmes (many of which are new) across all performing arts genres; and we guarantee that there is something there for everyone.Please visit www.tapac.org.nz

Eliette's Music AcademyWe run 3 holiday programmes over the school break for children aged 5 to 12 years old. Our Drama programme is available before Christmas and in January. See attachment below.